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After I saw the "Always Reppin'" motto on the warm-up shirts of half a dozen teams in the first or second round of the dance, I wondered what it was all about, and so I did an internet search for the term. I get that the general meaning is to represent positively something that you stand for (like your school, etc.), and I get that at some level it's just a phrase Nike is using for marketing purposes. But I also learned where the phrase originated, and it's lyrics from a rap song. Google it, and perhaps you'll be as disgusted as I was with the foul language, demeaning slurs about women, and arrogant gangsta attitude in the song. I wound up wondering WTF so many teams and schools are doing by allowing themselves to be proudly (!) associated with that kind of message. And I have to believe that if any school official, basketball coach, or responsible student athlete actually looked closely at the lyrics, they would surely have nixed the idea of putting "Always Reppin'"on their chests. And WTF was Nike thinking when they decided to license this little gem to sell their shoes?

If I were a player, I would absolutely refuse to wear that shirt. So far, I have not seen a single post anywhere about this, which I find pretty depressing. So is my reaction just bout me, or is there really something pretty ugly going on here?

xusandy wrote:After I saw the "Always Reppin'" motto on the warm-up shirts of half a dozen teams in the first or second round of the dance, I wondered what it was all about, and so I did an internet search for the term. I get that the general meaning is to represent positively something that you stand for (like your school, etc.), and I get that at some level it's just a phrase Nike is using for marketing purposes. But I also learned where the phrase originated, and it's lyrics from a rap song. Google it, and perhaps you'll be as disgusted as I was with the foul language, demeaning slurs about women, and arrogant gangsta attitude in the song. I wound up wondering WTF so many teams and schools are doing by allowing themselves to be proudly (!) associated with that kind of message. And I have to believe that if any school official, basketball coach, or responsible student athlete actually looked closely at the lyrics, they would surely have nixed the idea of putting "Always Reppin'"on their chests. And WTF was Nike thinking when they decided to license this little gem to sell their shoes?

If I were a player, I would absolutely refuse to wear that shirt. So far, I have not seen a single post anywhere about this, which I find pretty depressing. So is my reaction just bout me, or is there really something pretty ugly going on here?

I honestly don't even know the song your referencing but it doesn't matter. This saying has been kicked around for YYEEAARRS and does not have a negative connotation, actually it is quite the opposite. They just decided to put it on shirt and make it a marketing slogan, NOW.

Nothing to see here.

I see this is your first time listening to Hip-Hop. hahaha You think the players would be disgusted? Thats their favorite type of music.

Lmao how old are you?

I don't think it originated from that song, though Uptown is one of my favorite Drake songs.

I looked up the song. I like it.

Are you going to criticize those dang kids for dunking the ball instead of layups next?

Always Trippin'

MackNova wrote:I don't think it originated from that song, though Uptown is one of my favorite Drake songs.

You just became one of my fav posters on here lol. All of that 2009 old drake stuff is great

xusandy wrote:After I saw the "Always Reppin'" motto on the warm-up shirts of half a dozen teams in the first or second round of the dance, I wondered what it was all about, and so I did an internet search for the term. I get that the general meaning is to represent positively something that you stand for (like your school, etc.), and I get that at some level it's just a phrase Nike is using for marketing purposes. But I also learned where the phrase originated, and it's lyrics from a rap song. Google it, and perhaps you'll be as disgusted as I was with the foul language, demeaning slurs about women, and arrogant gangsta attitude in the song. I wound up wondering WTF so many teams and schools are doing by allowing themselves to be proudly (!) associated with that kind of message. And I have to believe that if any school official, basketball coach, or responsible student athlete actually looked closely at the lyrics, they would surely have nixed the idea of putting "Always Reppin'"on their chests. And WTF was Nike thinking when they decided to license this little gem to sell their shoes?

If I were a player, I would absolutely refuse to wear that shirt. So far, I have not seen a single post anywhere about this, which I find pretty depressing. So is my reaction just bout me, or is there really something pretty ugly going on here?

Settle down Tipper... Nova's in the FF